Cabin cruiser on bar THE DEPUTY LAUNCHING AUTHORITY of Blyth lifeboat station was informed by Coastguard Tyne at 1440 on Sunday, August 29, 1976, that two swimmers had been swept out to sea off Cambois; a girl bather had been picked up by a helicopter from RAF Boulmer but her father was still missing. The assembly signal was made and Blyth ILB launched and set off at 1444. One minute later the message was given to Coxswain George Dawson of Newbiggin lifeboat station, who informed the launching authority and immediately fired the maroons. At 1455 Newbiggin's 37' Oakley lifeboat Mary Joicey launched on service.

The wind was south easterly force 1 to 2 with a slight sea. There was a moderate easterly swell, producing a heavy surf inshore.

Blyth ILB, with Helmsman David Tilmouth in command, arrived in the area off Cambois at 1453 and was soon joined by Mary Joicey. While the ILB made an extensive search along the surf line inshore, Newbiggin lifeboat searched offshore. Close communication between both lifeboats was maintained, but the co-ordinated close search was without success; no sign of the casualty was found.

At 1646, while the search was still in progress, information was received from Coastguard Tyne mobile that a cabin cruiser had been reported capsized off the mouth of the River Wansbeck and immediate assistance was requested. As lifeboat and ILB had been searching now for some hour and a half without success, this second incident was considered to take priority and both boats headed for the river mouth.

Because of her superior speed, Blyth ILB arrived at the scene before Newbiggin lifeboat; she found the cabin cruiser, upright, lying to her anchor on the bar in a most hazardous position, being pounded by heavy surf. Helmsman Tilmouth, realising the precarious position that the casualty was in, with the danger of the anchor failing to hold, headed in through the surf to assess the situation close to. The motion of the casualty was violent and Helmsman Tilmouth decided not to attempt to take the crew off at this stage but to await the arrival of Newbiggin lifeboat. One of the casualty's crew was seen clinging to the cabin top, while three others were sheltering in the cabin.

On arrival of the lifeboat, Blyth ILBclosed her and informed Coxswain Dawson of the situation. It was decided that conditions were such that to try to tow the casualty clear would be the most effective way of accomplishing the rescue, so the ILB took a line from the lifeboat and returned through the surf to the casualty. Two attempts were made to transfer the line but without success.

At about 1656, while she was running in for a third attempt, a large sea broke over the stern of the ILB, completely swamping her. The boat cleared herself of water but the engine had failed and could not be restarted. The crew manned the oars, rounded up into the surf and succeeded in pulling clear of the worst of the breaking water. Meanwhile, Newbiggin lifeboat, seeing what had happened, recovered the tow line and headed into the surf; passing a line to the ILB she towed her into calmer water.

Once satisfied that the ILB was safe, Coxswain Dawson informed the Coastguard on shore that he was going to close the casualty and pass a line.

At the first attempt, approaching bow first, Newbiggin lifeboat touched bottom when some 30 yards off the casualty. A heavy swell lifted Mary Joicey and Coxswain Dawson pulled her clear by going full astern. Useful local advice about banks in the area was passed via the Coastguard and Coxswain Dawson made his second approach, stern first.

On this attempt the lifeboat came close enough to pass a line which was secured aboard the casualty by her own crew.

Newbiggin lifeboat, cutting the casualty's anchor warp, towed her clear of the surf, then, taking Blyth ILB in tow as well, headed for Blyth. Lifeboat and tow arrived in harbour without incident at 1753. The casualty was secured and one of the four survivors, found to have suffered an injury to his leg, was treated by a doctor before being taken to hospital.

For this service the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum were accorded to Coxswain George Dawson of Newbiggin lifeboat and Blyth ILB Helmsman David Tilmouth. Vellum certificates were presented to Second Coxswain Christopher Main, Motor Mechanic Clifford Hancox and Crew Members John Mounsey, Robert Wrigglesworth, David Armstrong and Thomas Taylor of Newbiggin, and Blyth ILB Crew Members Dallas Taylor, John Long and Clifford Thompson..